Plumbing device

ABSTRACT

A plumbing device for plugging a pipe includes a radially expansible rubber sleeve disposed about one end of an axial shaft or tube. An annular flange is provided on the end of the shaft while an elongated metal cylinder is disposed coaxially about the shaft on the opposite side of the sleeve to transmit axial compressive movement to the rubber sleeve from a screw jack mechanism releasably secured on the shaft in proximity to its other end.

United States Patent Tomlinson 541 PLUMBING DEVICE [72] Inventor: ThomasAlfred Tomlinson, 348 Manor Road East, Toronto 298, Ontario, Canada [22]Filed: Dec.2l, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 210,438

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.19,167, March 13,

1970, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. ..138/90, 220/245, 285/338 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6l 55/10 [58]Field of Search ..138/89, 90, 97; 85/72, 75,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1,631,889 6/1927 Rappley...29/256 x 1451 Dec. 5, 1972 2,322,842 6/1943 French ..138/89 2,519,6938/1950 Olin ..29/256 X 3,326,243 6/1967 Augustus ..138/90 3,420,274H1969 Buttery ..138/90 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 98,176 10/1924Austria ..138/90 Primary Examiner-Herbert F. Ross Attorney-J. NoelWalton [5 7] ABSTRACT A plumbing device for plugging a pipe includes aradially expansible rubber sleeve disposed about one end of an axialshaft or tube. An annular flange is provided on the end of the shaftwhile an elongated metal cylinder is disposed coaxially about the shafton the opposite side of the sleeve to transmit axial compressivemovement to the rubber sleeve from a screw jack mechanism releasablysecured on the shaft in proximity to its other end.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PLUMBING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my applicationSer. No. 019,167, filed Mar. 13, I970, entitled PLUM BING DEVICE, andnow abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in aplumbing device and more particularly to a device for temporarilyrestricting the flow of a fluid such as water through a pipe.

Various devices, or plugs as they are known, have heretofore beensuggested for use for temporarily closing or sealing the open end of apipe or conduit. Many of the known devices have, however, beenrelatively complex in their construction and have consequently proved tobe relatively expensive to manufacture.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a plumbing device forthe aforesaid purpose and which device is characterized by itsstructural simplicity, durability and reasonable cost of production.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plumbing device whichcan be used for temporarily sealing pipes or conduits of differentdiameters.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the descriptionherein proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, there isprovided a two-part jack by the use of which an expansible sleeve of aplumbing device can be expanded to close a pipe or conduit. By the useof such a two-part jack mechanism, the overall cost of such a device canbe reduced while the device becomes even more versatile.

Other features of the invention and thepractical advantages resultingtherefrom will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be describedmerely by way of illustration with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary side elevation of one embodiment of a plumbingdevice in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged and fragmentary side elevation, partly in sectionof the plumbing device shown in FIG. 1; 1

FIG. 3 is an elevational detail of the plumbing device shown in FIGS. 1and 2 but showing an expansible plug or sleeve of that device in alongitudinally compressed and radially expanded form thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing analternative manner in which a releasable stop means can be provided forthe jack mechanism of a plumbing device in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing oneembodiment of a centering means usefully provided in a plumbing devicein accordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section and similar tothat of FIG. 5 but showing a larger diameter sealing sleeve fitted onthe same device; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing analternative construction for a centering means optionally provided on adevice according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The plumbing device indicatedgenerally at 14 in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings comprisesa drain tube 1 of the desired length and diameter and having a head orexterior flange 2 at one end thereof. A sealing plug or sleeve 3 in theform of a thick cylinder of a resiliently deformable material such asrubber or the like is coaxially disposed on the tube 1 for abutment withthe flange 2, the plug 3 being radially expansible when compressedaxially as shown in FIG. 3. On the side opposite the flange 2, the plug3 abuts a washer 4 of approximately the same diameter as the flange 2.It is against this washer 4 that the plug-expanding axial force isapplied. 7 i

The device 14 also comprises a jack mechanism generally indicated at 16and which is mounted on the tube 1 remote from the plug 3, the jackmechanism 16 comprising a pair of coacting members, namely a first jackmember 5 having an internally threaded socket 6 at one end and a secondjack member 18 including an externally threaded portion or shank 7. Thesecond jack member 18 has an enlarged knurled head 8 of the sameexternal diameter as the first jack member 5, which is also externallyknurled as indicated at 19 for at least a part of its length.

Between the washer 4 and the confronting end of the first jack member 5,an elongated cylinder 9 of appropriate length surrounds the drain tube1, such cylinder 9 being desirably of less diameter than the washer 4and the sleeve 3 and preferably nesting at one end in a concentricpocket 10 in the confronting end of the first jack member. 5.

As an abutment or stop for the plug-compressing jack mechanism 16, astop collar 11 is positioned on theend of the tube 1 remote from flange2, and the collar 11 is anchored in proper longitudinal adjustment by aradially extending set screw 12 which releasably engages the tube l. I

In use, the headed end of the drain tube 1 with the other componentsassembled thereon in the manner shown in the drawings is inserted into apipe at a work location, until the plug or sleeve 3 is upstream of thejoint to be soldered. Then holding one part or member of the jackmechanism 16, the other part or member thereof is rotated to extend theparts; with the second jack member 18 abutting the stop collar 11, thefirst jack member 16 forces the elongated cylinder 9 against the washer4 to cause longitudinal compression and radial expansion of the plug orsleeve 3 into sealing engagement with the surrounding pipe. Thus withupstream water cut off from the joint, soldering can be effected.

Although the plumbing device 14 has been described as including aseparate stop collar which can be releasably secured on the axial tubeof the device, it is also possible to provide a releasable stop meansdirectly on that one of the two screw jack members which is disposednearer the second or rearward end of the axial tube of such a device,i.e. near that end of the tube which is remote from the external flange.Such an alternative construction will now be described with reference toFIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 4, there is shown generally at 20 a jack mechanism for use on aplumbing device in accordance with the invention. The devicefragmentarily shown in FIG. 4 differs from the device 14 hereinbeforespecifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 in that itcomprises a solid axial shaft 21 instead of the axial tube 1 provided inthe device 14. An axially resiliently compressible and radiallyoutwardly resiliently extensible sleeve (not shown) is provided on theforward or first end of the shaft 21 in exactly the same manner as thesleeve 3 was provided on the forward or first end of the tube 1 of thedevice 14 while an elongated cylinder 22 is disposed co-axially aboutthe shaft 21 so as to extend between that sleeve and the jack mechanism20.

The jack mechanism 20 comprises a first jack member generally indicatedat 24 and having an axial bore 25 slidably receiving the shaft 21. Atits forward end, the bore 25 opens into a larger diameter socket 26which-together with the shaft 21 defines an annular pocket for receivingthe rearward end of the elongated cylinder 22. The first jack member 24also comprises a rearwardly open and internally threaded skirt 27. Theperipheral outer surface 'of the jack member 24 is knurled as indicatedat 28.

The jack mechanism 20 also comprises a second jack member 30 includingan externally threaded shank 31 and a larger diameterhead 32 having thesame diameter as the jack member 24 and also provided along part of itsperipheral outer surface with knurling 33, the male thread on the shank31 co-acting with the female thread in the skirt 27.

Two internally threaded radial bores 36 are provide in the second jackmember 30 to receive set screws 37 by means of which the second jackmember 30 can be releasably secured in a desired position on the shaft21.

It will now be understood that, by clamping the second jack member 30 ina desired position along the shaft 21 by means of the set screws 37, thesealing sleeve provided on the opposite end of the device can beexpanded or released as desired simply by turning the first jack member24 while holding the second jack member 30 to prevent bodily rotation ofthe device.

Referring next to FIG. 5, there is shown therein a device incorporatingone type of centering means which is usefully provided in a plumbingdevice in accordance with this invention. The plumbing device shownfragmentarily in FIG. comprises a solid axial shaft 40 which is formedat its first or forward end with an enlarged head 41. The device shownin FIG. 5 also includes an elongated cylinder 42 which is coaxiallydisposed about the axial shaft 40 and which is operative to transmitaxial movement from a jack mechanism (not shown) to a rubber sleeve 43slidably disposed on the shaft 40. Washers 44 and 45 are provided on theshaft 40 on opposite sides of the sleeve 43 and such washers haveapproximately the same diameter as the sleeve 43 when that sleeve is inits relaxed or non-expanded configuration as actually shown in FIG. 5.

Disposed between the rearward washer 45 and the forward end of theelongated cylinder 42, there is provided a centering collar 46 having aradially oriented planar front surface 47 for abutment with the washer45 and a generally frusto-conical rear surface 48 which is receivedpartially within the forward end of the elongated cylinder 42 aswillreadily be understood by reference to FIG. 5.

It will be understood-that the centering means constituted by the collar46 will serve to maintain the cylinder 42 essentially coaxial with theshaft 40 as well as to distribute the axially compressive load from thatcylinder radially over the sleeve 43. This is particularly importantwhen it is desired to use a single plumbing device in accordance withthis invention with a number of rubber sleeves of different diametersfor sealing pipes or conduits of different diameters.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown therein the disposition of alarger diameter rubber sleeve 50 on the device of FIG. 5. It will benoted that the washers 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 5 have also been replacedwith correspondingly larger diameter washers 51 and 52. To replace thesleeve on a device such as that described with reference to FIGS. 5 and6, it is necessary simply to release the jack mechanism from the axialshaft and then to slide that jack mechanism and the elongated cylinder42 from that shaft. The rubber sleeve, such as the sleeve 43, andits'associated washers 44 and 45 can then be slid from the shaft 40 andreplaced with a sleeve and washers of different diameter, for example,with the sleeve 50 and the washers 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 6. v

A fiber washer 53 is usefully provided as shown between the enlargedhead 41 and the adjacent washer 44 or 51 to prevent leakage between theshaft 40 and the surrounding rubber sleeve 43 or 50.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown therein an alternative type ofcentering means for optional use in a plumbing .device according to thisinvention. The plumbing device shown fragmentarily in FIG. 7 ineludes anaxial tube which is provided at its front or forward end with a radiallyoutwardly extending flange 61. A rubber sleeve 62 and washers 63 and 64are slidably disposed on the axial tube 60 so that the sleeve 62 can beaxially compressed by operation of a jack mechanism (not shown) providedin proximity to the rearward or second end of the tube 60, thecompressing force being applied to the sleeve 62 by an elongatedcylinder 66 through a centering collar 67 and the washer 64.

The centering collar 67 is formed in its rearwardly facing face with anaxial recess 68 which together with the axial tube 60 defines an annularpocket 69 for receiving the forward end of the elongated cylinder 66. Afiber washer 70 is usefully provided between the flange 61 and theadjacent washer 63.

What is claimed is:

1. A plumbing device which comprises:

an elongated axial shaft having first and second ends;

a radially outwardly extending flange on said shaft in proximity to saidfirst end thereof;

a radially outwardly resiliently expansible and axially resilientlycompressible sealing sleeve disposed about said shaft;

a first jack member slidably disposed on saidshaft toward said secondend thereof and including an internally threaded skirt defining withsaid shaft an annular socket;

a second jack member slidably disposed on said shaft toward said secondend thereof and including an externally threaded shank received withinsaid annular socket of said first jack member for co-action therewithwhereby, on relative rotation of said first and second jack members,those members are caused to undergo relative axial movement;

a releasable stop means for releasably preventing axial movementtowardsaid second end of said shaft of that one of said first and second jackmembers which is nearer said second end of said shaft; and

an elongated cylinder disposed about said shaft to be axially slidabletherealong and extending between said sleeve and a nearer one of saidfirst and second jack members; whereby, when said stop means isoperative to prevent axial movement of one of said first and second jackmembers on' said shaft and when said first and second jack members arerelatively rotated to cause axial separation thereof, said elongatedcylinder is moved axially to cause compression of said sleeve againstsaid flange and consequently radially outward expansion of said sleeve.

2. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasable stopmeans comprises a stop collar axially slidable along said shaft andsecurable thereon at a desired position thereon for axial abutment bythat one of said first and second jack members which is nearer saidsecond end of said shaft.

3. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 2 in which a set screw isthreaded in a radial bore in said stop collar for engagement of saidscrew with said shaft so to prevent axial movement relative to saidshaft of that one of said jack members which is nearer said second endof said shaft.

4. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasable stopmeans comprises a locking member radially movably mounted on that one ofsaid first and second jack members which is nearer said second end ofsaid shaft.

5. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 4 in which said locking membercomprises a set screw threaded into a radial bore in that one of saidfirst and second jack members which is nearer said second end of saidshaft for engagement of said screw with said shaft so to prevent axialmovement relative to said shaft of that one of said jack members whichis nearer said second end of said shaft) 6. A plumbing device as claimedin claim 1 in which said shaft is in the form of a hollow tube.

7. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 which additionally comprisesa centering means disposed between said sealing sleeve and an adjacentend of said elongated cylinder for maintaining said cylinder and saidshaft essentially coaxial with each other.

8. A plumbing device as claimedin claim 7 in which said centering meanscomprises a centering collar slidably disposed about said shaft betweensaid sleeve and said elongated cylinder and including a recess receivingthe adjacent end of said elongated cylinder.

9. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 7 in which said centering meanscomprises a centering collar slidably disposed about said shaft betweensaid sleeve and said cylinder and dimensioned .so as to extend partiallginto said cylinder.

l A plumbing device as claimed in claim 9 in which said centering collarincludes a frusto-conical external surface for abutment by the adjacentend of said elongated cylinder.

11. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 which additionally comprisesfirst and second discoid washers slidably disposed on said shaft onopposite sides of said sealing sleeve, said discoid washers havingapproximately the same diameter as said sealing sleeve when said sleeveis in a relaxed configuration thereof.

12. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 in which that one of saidfirst and second jack members which is nearer said elongated cylinder isformed with a socket I defining with said shaft an annular pocket inwhich the

1. A plumbing device which comprises: an elongated axial shaft havingfirst and second ends; a radially outwardly extending flange on saidshaft in proximity to said first end thereof; a radially outwardlyresiliently expansible and axially resiliently compressible sealingsleeve disposed about said shaft; a first jack member slidably disposedon said shaft toward said second end thereof and including an internallythreaded skirt defining with said shaft an annular socket; a second jackmember slidably disposed on said shaft toward said second end thereofand including an externally threaded shank received within said annularsocket of said first jack member for co-action therewith whereby, onrelative rotation of said first and second jack members, those membersare caused to undergo relative axial movement; a releasable stop meansfor releasably preventing axial movement toward said second end of saidshaft of that one of said first and second jack members which is nearersaid second end of said shaft; and an elongated cylinder disposed aboutsaid shaft to be axially slidable therealong and extending between saidsleeve and a nearer one of said first and second jack members; whereby,when said stop means is operative to prevent axial movement of one ofsaid first and second jack members on said shaft and when said first andsecond jack members are relatively rotated to cause axial separationthereof, said elongated cylinder is moved axially to cause compressionof said sleeve against said flange and consequently radially outwardexpansion of said sleeve.
 2. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said releasable stop means comprises a stop collar axiallyslidable along said shaft and securable thereon at a desired positionthereon for axial abutment by that one of said first and second jackmembers which is nearer said second end of said shaft.
 3. A plumbingdevice as claimed in claim 2 in which a set screw is threaded in aradial bore in said stop collar for engagement of said screw with saidshaft so to prevent axial movement relative to said shaft of that one ofsaid jack members which is nearer said second end of said shaft.
 4. Aplumbing device as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasable stopmeans comprises a locking member radially movably mounted on that one ofsaid first and second jack members which is nearer said second end ofsaid shaft.
 5. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 4 in which saidlocking member comprises a set screw threaded into a radial bore in thatone of said first and second jack members which is nearer said secondend of said shaft for engagement of said screw with said shaft so toprevent axial movement relative to said shaft of that one of said jackmembers which is nearer said seconD end of said shaft.
 6. A plumbingdevice as claimed in claim 1 in which said shaft is in the form of ahollow tube.
 7. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 whichadditionally comprises a centering means disposed between said sealingsleeve and an adjacent end of said elongated cylinder for maintainingsaid cylinder and said shaft essentially coaxial with each other.
 8. Aplumbing device as claimed in claim 7 in which said centering meanscomprises a centering collar slidably disposed about said shaft betweensaid sleeve and said elongated cylinder and including a recess receivingthe adjacent end of said elongated cylinder.
 9. A plumbing device asclaimed in claim 7 in which said centering means comprises a centeringcollar slidably disposed about said shaft between said sleeve and saidcylinder and dimensioned so as to extend partially into said cylinder.10. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 9 in which said centeringcollar includes a frusto-conical external surface for abutment by theadjacent end of said elongated cylinder.
 11. A plumbing device asclaimed in claim 1 which additionally comprises first and second discoidwashers slidably disposed on said shaft on opposite sides of saidsealing sleeve, said discoid washers having approximately the samediameter as said sealing sleeve when said sleeve is in a relaxedconfiguration thereof.
 12. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1 inwhich that one of said first and second jack members which is nearersaid elongated cylinder is formed with a socket defining with said shaftan annular pocket in which the adjacent end of said elongated cylinderis received.